Oil pump drive belt (runs in oil)
usually 200,000–260,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: No warning before it fails — oil pressure can drop
Fix: Replace the oil pump belt at Ford's scheduled interval
€300–700
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Ford Kuga III
2019–now · Ford Kuga 3
3
engines covered
9
known faults
79,685
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
30
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Ford Kuga III has been built since 2019.
For this generation we cover 3 engines and 9 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Timing chain (7 mm) premature wear / breakage: it usually appears at 40,000–240,000 km and costs €0–3,500 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 0–50 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (4.8 %), tyres and wheels (2.8 %), brakes (1.6 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: brakes, exhaust, emissions and leaks. It fails less often than average on: tyres and wheels.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 EcoBoost (3-cyl Dragon, 2018+) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-20 · Ford WSS-M2C948-B · every 15,000 km |
| 1.5 BlueHDi / EcoBlue (DV5R) | Diesel | Chain | 0W-30 / 5W-30 · PSA B71 2312 · ~4.25 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.0 EcoBlue (Ford 'Panther') | Diesel | Wet belt · 200,000 km | 0W-30 / 5W-30 · Ford WSS-M2C950-A / 952-A1 · ~6.2 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults by engine
1.5 EcoBoost (3-cyl Dragon, 2018+)
1.5 BlueHDi / EcoBlue (DV5R)
Timing chain (7 mm) premature wear / breakage
usually 40,000–240,000 km · High risk
model years 2017–2023 only
Signs: Cold-start metallic rattle, timing codes — can destroy the engine (built Oct 2017 – Jan 2023)
Fix: Check Stellantis extended warranty (10 yrs / 240,000 km); 8 mm chain + camshaft carrier kit
€0–3,500
Fuel rail nut leak — fire risk (2023–2025)
usually 0–200,000 km · High risk
model years 2023–2025 only
Signs: Diesel smell in the engine bay
Fix: Check recall status (free)
free / recall
AdBlue tank / pump failure
usually 60,000–160,000 km · High risk
Signs: 'Starting impossible in X km' warning
Fix: Replace the AdBlue module (extended cover exists)
€0–1,300
EGR / DPF
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Power loss, DPF light
Fix: Clean or replace
€300–1,500
2.0 EcoBlue (Ford 'Panther')
Oil pump drive belt (runs in oil)
usually 80,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Sudden oil pressure loss — can destroy the engine (Transit 2016–2019)
Fix: Inspect / replace the belt proactively
€500–1,200
Wet timing belt degradation
usually 150,000–240,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Belt in oil degrades over time
Fix: Replace per schedule
€700–1,400
AdBlue / NOx sensor
usually 80,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: AdBlue warning
Fix: Replace sensor or heater
€300–900
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Automatic (torque converter)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.5 EcoBoost (3-cyl Dragon, 2018+) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 79,685 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 1.6 % | 3.5 % | 3.5 % |
| Suspension | 0.3 % | 0.5 % | 1.8 % |
| Steering | 0.0 % | 0.1 % | 0.1 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 2.8 % | 4.7 % | 5.7 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 4.8 % | 6.7 % | 10.1 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.1 % | 0.2 % | 0.7 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.7 % | 1.1 % | 2.9 % |
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (30). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Electronics / software 25C79 Kuga - Powertrain Control Module Software Update03/02/2027 · R/2026/030
- Engine / loss of power 26S10 - Kuga Ranger - Potential Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve Failure27/08/2026 · R/2026/160
- Other Multi Vehicle Line: Unintended High Beam Behaviour - Compliance30/06/2026 · R/2026/268
- Engine / loss of power Transit Courier: Diesel DV-Neo Engine Coolant Pump Update15/06/2026 · R/2026/237
- Electronics / software Multi Vehicle Line (MVL): Telecommunications Control Module (TCU) loss of Function Software Update05/05/2026 · R/2026/181
- Fire risk 25SC4 Kuga - Do not charge high voltage battery to levels above 80%04/11/2025 · R/2025/527
- Wheels / tyres 25S61 – Kuga – Cylinder head replacement15/09/2025 · R/2025/341
- Visibility CrossCar: Sync3 Rear-View Camera Software Update08/09/2025 · R/2025/359
The other recalls (22) are listed in the app.
Other generations
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026